A two-day conference of seers representing extremely backward communities will be held in Kalaburagi on June 27 and 28 to discuss issues relating to political representation, social justice, and equitable access to welfare and development programmes.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on June 21, Pranavananda Swami, State president of the Federation of Seers of Extremely Backward Communities, said the conference would be held at Yatri Nivas in the Sri Sharanabasaveshwara temple complex in Kalaburagi city.

Poorananda Swami of Tailendra Mahasamsthan will inaugurate the two-day conference on June 27.

Pranavananda Swami stated that several extremely backward communities continue to face inadequate representation in political and administrative spheres. The conference would deliberate on ways to ensure their participation in governance and decision-making processes.

He stressed the need for adequate budgetary support to development corporations established for the welfare of backward communities. Setting up corporations alone would not benefit communities unless they were provided sufficient funds, and their effective utilisation, he added.

The conference would also discuss measures to secure a fair share of government benefits and development schemes for extremely backward communities. Seers will also deliberate on issues concerning the social, educational and economic empowerment of their respective communities.

Pranavananda Swami said the federation would collectively raise its voice whenever any injustice was meted out to these communities, and would seek allocation of funds and welfare benefits in proportion to their population.

More than 40 seers, community leaders, and office-bearers from across Karnataka are expected to participate in the conference, which will provide an important platform for developing a common roadmap for the upliftment of extremely backward communities, he added.